Angle of the dangle

Had a quick video hook-up with Alison & the kids in Paris, early this morning via Skype, and gained approval for a purchase at Liverpool today. Robert & Bruce Wheatley have produced an excellent four-volume series, "Railway Portraits". These are a fantastic source of reference material on the operational, behind-the-scenes aspects of the NSWGR. Look out for them at an event near you, or go on-line here
While at Liverpool I caught up with Zane from Ballantyne Designs and had a look at his prototype 3D printed items - the shunting tender Lo32 (for use behind a D.50), and a pair of British Australian Oil Co tanks - one the true private-owner version, the other the departmental version. Great to see some activity in these niche areas!
Also spent some time chatting with a former work colleague David, and having a look at pictures of his 5" gauge GMs on his phone.
After bidding the Whitlam Centre farewell for another year, I took Alison's mum for a run in the car, and headed out to Burragorang Lookout. Spectacular view, but the visit was cut short when I realised LVR's 4204 & 4716 were heading north with the return of a tour from Griffith. A few PMs / phone calls later found us at Wingello with just enough time to set up the cameras & pour a coffee. We followed the train to Moss Vale where I just had to get a shot of "Gunzelling with Grandma" to send to the kids!

  

4204/4716 whisk 8L02 through Wingello

In the loop at Moss Vale, waiting for ST24 to run through

 

ST24 worked by XP2014/XP2016 accelerates out of Moss Vale, passing 4204/4716 on 8L02 from Griffith

Grandma with Grandma - thanks Milo for the invitation into the cab!

Finally got into the garage about half-past-eight, and converted some more timber into shorter pieces & sawdust. The bulk of the component manufacture is now done - just  few more mitres to cut on the diagonal braces, and the gussets to make from 1/4" ply, and I'll be ready to start assembly!

Set up for docking the 3m lengths of 42x19 DAR pine for the braces

Glad I paid attention in geometry! The drop saw only goes to 48 degrees ... I needed 37/53 degree mitres for the various end diagonal braces. Simple - clamp an off-cut piece mitred at 45 degrees, and swing the base plate 8 degrees.

The growing pile of bench work components!

Cheers for now.